Learning Together, Friends Forever. 同窗四季，挚友一生
*If you would like to have a translated version of this message, please click the Google Translate tab at the top.
Hello / Nǐ hǎo Marion Carson School Families,
In this message…
- Learning Celebration (Kindergarten)
- Classroom Complexity Team Funding
- Alien Inline Skating
- Elementary Track & Field City Championships (Grade 3-6 students)
- A Message from School Council and Parent Association
1. Learning Celebration – Led by Kindergarten Students
Great job to our Kindergarten students who led an assembly this morning focussing on Body - To Do and the body’s connection to nature. What a far way you’ve all come as we reflect on your first day of school earlier this year, to now leading the whole school in a celebration of learning. Absolute stars of the show!
2. Classroom Complexity Team – Funding
You may have heard in the news that our school was identified as a recipient of Classroom Complexity Team Funding. We are happy to announce that the funding for this team has come through and our hiring is complete.
The Classroom Complexity Team will help with:
- Inclusive instructional strategies
- Classroom organization and differentiation
- Targeted support in high‑complexity classrooms
- Building staff capacity to respond to diverse learner needs
Staff additions / changes include:
- Ms. Spray who has extensive experience as an elementary classroom teacher, specialized classroom teacher, and classroom support teacher will be taking on the role of Classroom Complexity Teacher through to the end of the school year.
- We have hired 1 additional 1.0 FTE Teacher, Ms. Laura Dumas who will be taking over as Grade 4 Mandarin Bilingual English Teacher (formerly of Ms. Spray’s homeroom class), through to the end of the year.
- We have increased the following support staff member’s weekly hours through to the end of the school year:
- Education Assistant Ms. Iftikhar from 20 hours/week to 30 hours/week
- Education Assistant Ms. Gong from 25 hours/week to 30 hours/week
- Behaviour Support Worker Ms. Shellborn from 25 hours/week to 30 hours/week.
This additional funding is a good first step towards increased funding to support our classroom complexities and education system as a whole.
3. Alien Inline Skating (Kindergarten to Grade 4 Students)
Alien Inline Skating continues for kindergarten to Grade 4 students through to April 23, 2026. See your child’s Google Classroom for their specific participation schedules. Please speak to your child’s teacher if interested in volunteering for their skating times (volunteers must have their police clearance)
4. Elementary Track & Field City Championships (Grade 3-6 students)
Marion Carson students are encouraged to join in on this opportunity for elementary students across Calgary. The Elementary School Track & Field City Championships will take place on Saturday, May 30 and is open to students in Grades 3–6. This event is designed to build physical literacy through fun and inclusive experiences in running, jumping, and throwing, helping to address a gap in opportunities for younger students.
Details:
Location: Foothills Track (2431 Crowchild Trail N.W.)
When: May 30, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $10 per event
Entry Deadline: May 27, 2025 @ 10:00 p.m.
To register and/or for additional details visit the Elementary Track & Field Championship website.
This is a great opportunity to support student well-being, confidence, and engagement in physical activity while introducing them to track and field in a positive, accessible way.
5. A Message from School Council and Parent Association
Marion Carson School 5km Fun Run / Walk – Registration Now Open
- Register Here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/25-26-marion-carson-family-fun-run-5k
- Sign-up to volunteer here: Volunteer for the 2025/2026 Marion Carson Fun Run 5K
Growing Smiles Plant Fundraiser
This plant fundraiser features beautiful hanging baskets, planters, veggies, herbs and more! Buy before April 15th and use code EARLY5 for $5 off! Click here to order: Marion Carson School
Chipotle Fundraiser: April 15th 4 - 8pm
Eat at Chipotle on April 15 from 4pm - 8pm and 25% of sales go towards our Parent Association fundraising efforts. We've attached the flyer to this newsletter for you to use at this fundraiser. Your child also came home with a paper copy to use. Chipotle must see the flyer (in either form) for this event.
Parent Association’s Parent Education Session – Power of Play by Devon K.
April 18th 10:00-11:30AM at the school's boulder circle (back west field): Join Devon Karchut, pediatric physiotherapist, play advocate, and owner of Nature Play, an outdoor play and therapy program for kids. We'll discuss how play is the secret ingredient for building skills in communication, self-regulation, creativity, and so much more! This session is geared to parents but feel free to bring your little ones along to play in the field while the parents learn!
Donations for the playground will be gratefully accepted if you join in this session! Signup here: Marion Carson Parent Association: Power of Play Parent Ed Session
Upcoming Events
Apr. 6-23: K-4 Alien Inline Skating Residency
Apr. 15: Chipotle Playground Fundraiser (4-8pm) - Show flyer when ordering
Apr. 18: Parent Association Parent Education Session – Power of Play (Register Here)
Apr. 21: School Council and Parent Association Meeting (6:30pm - 8:00pm)
Apr. 23: Marion’s Meadow Clean-Up – 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Apr. 24: Non-Instructional Day – No School for Students
Apr. 27-30: Gr. 5/6 Elev8 Lacrosse Residency
May 2: Marion Carson School 5km Fun Run / Walk (Register Here, Volunteer Here)
May 4: Music Monday
May 6: Growing Smiles Plant Fundraiser Deadline to Order – Order Here
May 4-7: Gr. 6 Camp Chief Hector
May 13: Fun Lunch (Subway) – Order at www.healthyhunger.ca
May 15: Non-Instructional Day – No School for Students
May 18: Victoria Day – No School for Students
May 19: School Council and Parent Association AGM (6:30pm - 8:00pm)
May 19-May 29: Grade 1-4 Swimming (Details TBD)
Sincerely,
Mr. Dustin Turner
Principal, Marion Carson School